In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Alex Psomas, assistant professor of computer science in Purdue University’s College of Science.  

Alex is an expert in machine learning and artificial intelligence. He utilizes these tools to help solve societal issues like food insecurity by outsourcing decision-making to AI — starting right here in Indiana. 

In this episode, you will:  

• Gain key insights on AI and machine learning and see how algorithms have rapidly evolved and what it means for you.  
• Learn about his collaboration with the Indy Hunger Network and how he automated the redistribution of rejected food away from landfills and into food pantries.  
• Hear about the use of open source code, which can help other organizations around the country automate the distribution of vital resources like food. 
• Discover how Purdue’s pioneering computer science program and the Purdue Computes initiative are at the forefront of multidisciplinary AI research.  
• Hear about Alex’s journey from his home country of Greece to advancing his career in the U.S. and eventually becoming a Boilermaker. 
• Explore Alex’s encouraging approach to mentoring his students and how he’s committed to getting them excited about research.  
• Find out how awards from the National Science Foundation and Google have accelerated his research, forged collaborations with other faculty and inspired future work.  

Don’t miss this episode featuring a Purdue professor and researcher who is using AI to fight hunger and support food pantries.  

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dan Kiermaier (BS turf management and science ’12), head groundskeeper for the Chicago Cubs. 

Dan is living out his dream career — one that would make his 10-year-old self extremely proud. Every day, he uses his Purdue degree in turf management and science to maintain the safety, playability and historic atmosphere of one of sport’s most iconic venues — Wrigley Field. 

In this episode, you will: 

• Learn about Dan’s journey within Purdue’s College of Agriculture to becoming a head groundskeeper in Major League Baseball. 
• Hear about his experience at the 2016 World Series where the Cubs took the Commissioner’s Trophy home to Chicago after a 108-year drought. 
• Get to know how baseball is all in the family for the Kiermaiers, including his brother, former LA Dodgers outfielder and 2024 World Series winner Kevin Kiermaier, who Dan hosted at Wrigley Field for the first time in 2022.  
• Go behind the scenes of preparing this legendary field after weather delays and for big events outside of baseball, such as the National Hockey League Winter Classic, Big Ten football games and concerts.  
• Experience Dan’s typical Cubs home game day and discover what turf management and science looks like at the second oldest MLB ballpark in the country. 
• Find out how his team balances player safety and innovation on the field of the “Friendly Confines” while maintaining the historic charm and ivy — which has a surprising link to Purdue, by the way! 

For all sports enthusiasts, baseball fans, Chicagoans, loyal Cubs supporters and more — this is a can’t-miss episode with a Boilermaker who takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to live out his dream.  

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Eric Hall (BS multidisciplinary engineering ’95), senior technical director at Disney Live Entertainment.  

Eric recently celebrated 30 years at Disney, and he’s instrumental in the safety, execution and enchantment behind iconic fireworks shows like “Epcot Forever” and “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.”   

In this magical episode of “This Is Purdue,” you will:  

• Hear how Eric’s hands-on experiences in the theatre engineering program, part of Purdue’s Colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts, prepared him for a career in live entertainment. 
• Explore the day-to-day life of a 30-year Disney veteran, from the innovative live show processes to the technical, behind-the-scenes details. 
• Find out more about the parks’ rigorous safety protocols and the training Disney implements to protect its visitors and cast members. 
• Learn why Eric is committed to mentoring young Boilermakers, specifically in the multidisciplinary engineering program, and giving students the tools and guidance they need to succeed in their own live entertainment careers. 
• Get the inside scoop into future shows coming to some of the most beloved Disney parks. 

Don’t miss this episode featuring our first Disney Boilermaker, who is helping bring enchantment to millions of fans each year! 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Brandon Boor, the Dr. Margery E. Hoffman Associate Professor in Civil Engineering, and Nusrat Jung, assistant professor of civil engineering. 

What’s in the air we breathe indoors? That’s what Brandon and Nusrat are researching in our buildings — at home, school, work and beyond. These two are partners in work and in life, and their cutting-edge research and collaboration with faculty, students and industry partners have led to major scientific discoveries. 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue” you will: 

• Hear more about Brandon and Nusrat’s journey from Finland to Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering and the early experiences that shaped their passion for research 
• Understand why indoor air quality research is vital to improving human well-being and how our buildings play a critical role 
• Learn about the first-of-its-kind zero-Energy Design Guidance for Engineers (zEDGE) tiny house lab, where they’re utilizing advanced sensor technology to connect their critical air quality research to the real world 
• Receive practical advice on how you can improve air quality inside your home or office 
• Discover how they’re equipping undergraduate and graduate students with a hands-on education to help them excel at Purdue and beyond 

Don’t miss this episode with these Boilermakers who are leading groundbreaking and life-changing research efforts right here at Purdue. 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Renee Thomas, Purdue University’s associate vice provost for student access and community engagement. 

For more than 35 years, Renee has increased educational opportunities for thousands of Boilermakers. 

In this episode, you will: 

• Learn how Renee has impacted students’ lives by helping them find their community at Purdue.  
• Explore her profound impact on Purdue’s Black Cultural Center as the former director and learn more about the importance of all five university cultural centers. 
• Get to know how her role as associate vice provost is expanding into Indianapolis and the three pillars her team uses to ensure students feel a sense of belonging at Purdue. 
• Discover how she creates connections between students and alumni and the rich historical significance of the Black community in Indianapolis, including places like Indiana Avenue, the Madam Walker Legacy Center and more. 
• Gain valuable advice and insights on how students can find community and belonging on campus. 
• Find out what it meant to her to receive both the Special Boilermaker Award and the Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s Achievement in Education Award in 2024 for the recognition of her life-changing work. 

You don’t want to miss this episode with a Boilermaker who has spent her career making sure Purdue feels like home to every one of its students.  

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Mike Berghoff, chair of the Purdue University Board of Trustees. 

Since joining the board in 2009 and being appointed chair in 2015, Mike (BS industrial management ’85) has helped lead the university to incredible success and growth while managing significant challenges in the higher education landscape.  

In this celebratory episode, you will: 

• Learn about the initiatives Mike has overseen during his time at Purdue, including the unprecedented 13-year tuition freeze, Purdue’s expansion into Indianapolis, commercial air service returning to the Purdue University Airport, the transformation of the Mitch Daniels School of Business and more. 
• Get to know his Boilermaker journey — from his time as a student to chair of the board, including the professors and mentors that impacted him most and the phone call that changed his life. 
• Discover the moments Mike finds most significant in shaping Purdue’s legacy as the most recognized public university in the country. 
• Hear Mike reflect on what this role has meant to him after making a difference in thousands of Boilermakers’ lives.  
• Find out what he sees for the future of Purdue and what he hopes his legacy will be when he steps down as chair Jan. 1, 2025. 

“Purdue has set some bold initiatives and targets,” says Mike. “It’s been really fun to watch an idea get formulated and implemented by people who are talented and fired up.”  

You don’t want to miss this special episode featuring a renowned Boilermaker leader! 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Anthony Cawdron, Westwood event coordinator and estate manager, and adjunct hospitality and tourism management faculty member. 

Westwood has been home to four Purdue University presidents and their families since it was donated to the university in 1971, and for the last 24 years, Anthony has been instrumental in the operations of what he calls the “front door to Purdue University.”  

In this third episode of our Boilermaker Bites series, you will: 

• Discover his path from working in several castles in Europe to his time in America and following former President Martin Jischke from Iowa State to Purdue.  
• Explore behind-the-scenes stories of Westwood from its interesting history to what it takes to host events for guests ranging from Boilermaker students and faculty to U.S. secretaries of state. 
• Gain insight into what Anthony teaches his students about networking, job interviews and standing out at professional events through his business etiquette course in Purdue’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 
• Get to know how much the Purdue community means to Anthony and why he has stayed here for over two decades.  
• Hear about the honor of Anthony receiving the 2024 Special Boilermaker Award.  
• Learn more of Anthony’s expert etiquette tips for both hosting and attending holiday parties. 

You don’t want to miss this episode, which is jam-packed with expert etiquette tips and historical details about Westwood — one of the landmarks of the Purdue community.  

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Karen Plaut, Purdue University’s executive vice president for research. 

Karen oversees Purdue’s expanding $600 million research enterprise, and under her leadership, researchers from across the university are working together to solve the world’s toughest challenges. 

In this third episode of our 2024 Purdue Research Series, you will: 

• Get to know Karen’s incredible career journey from an animal sciences researcher to lead scientist for NASA’s International Space Station for biological research to dean of Purdue’s prestigious College of Agriculture, which is ranked No. 3 in the country.  
• Learn how interdisciplinary research at Purdue makes both a local and global impact. 
• Discover how Purdue’s expansion into Indianapolis will bolster student research opportunities. 
• Find out how Karen navigates the complexity of leading Purdue’s wide range of research fields including Purdue Computes and AI, One Health, nuclear power, and more. 
• Hear Karen reflect on her most memorable Boilermaker moments and her advice for aspiring researchers. 

Don’t miss this episode with a Boilermaker who is leading our groundbreaking and life-changing research efforts at Purdue. 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jennifer Pyrz, president and CEO of IndyGo. 

A Purdue engineering alumna, Jennifer (BS civil engineering ’95, MS civil engineering ’97) was appointed president and CEO of Indiana’s largest public transit agency in May 2024. 

In this episode you will: 

• Discover the advantages Purdue students in Indianapolis can gain from IndyGo buses and transit lines.  
• Learn more about Jennifer’s vision for the future of public transportation in Indianapolis, including the recent opening of IndyGo’s Purple Line and upcoming opening of the Blue Line.  
• Get to know the numerous ways the entire community of Indianapolis benefits from using IndyGo and the importance of having accessible and well-funded transportation in large cities. 
• Find out how Jennifer’s civil engineering degrees from Purdue prepared her to lead IndyGo.  

Don’t miss this episode with a Boilermaker who is using her innovative spirit to advance public transit in a city that hundreds of thousands of people call home.   

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former NASA astronaut and Purdue University Presidential Ambassador Drew Feustel (BS solid earth sciences ’89, MS geophysics ’91), Purdue professors and NASA contributors Briony Horgan and Marshall Porterfield, and SpaceKids Global founders Marc (BS electrical engineering ’71, MS business and industrial administration ’72) and Sharon Hagle. 

These five Purdue space experts came together for a live panel after Purdue premiered a first-of-its-kind short film — “Boilers to Mars” — in front of a sold-out crowd in Fowler Hall.  

“Boilers to Mars” is a 10-minute film designed to explore what it will take to go first — to take the small steps that lead to the next giant leap. Each character’s persistence in this short film was inspired by our very own Boilermaker students, faculty and alumni. 

In this episode you will: 

• Discover the panelists’ emotional reactions to “Boilers to Mars” and how they saw their own unique experiences in space reflected in the short film. 
• Get to know their experiences traveling to, working in and researching space. 
• Get closer to answering the question “What will it take to go first?” as these panelists share how Boilermakers eventually could lead the way to humankind traveling to Mars.  
• Hear their advice for the next generation of Boilermakers who hope to travel to or work in space one day. 
• Learn more about the mission of “Boilers to Mars” supporting partner SpaceKids Global, which inspires and empowers young people by introducing them to the wide range of careers available in space exploration and technology.  

You don’t want to miss this special live recording celebrating Purdue Brand Studio’s short film “Boilers to Mars” with insights from these Purdue space experts and leaders. 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to George Karlaftis (BS selling and sales management ’21), Purdue football alum, current defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs and two-time Super Bowl champion. 

In this episode you will: 

• Follow George’s journey from playing water polo in Athens, Greece, to football at West Lafayette High School in Indiana. 
• Learn what drew George to Purdue football and how he balanced being an All-Big Ten first team athlete with earning a degree in selling and sales management. 
• Discover George’s favorite Purdue moments, including staying close to family and the memorable upset against Michigan State in 2021.  
• Hear about George’s rapid NFL success — from being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs to winning two Super Bowls in his first two seasons.  
• Get behind-the-scenes insights into his NFL career, including his biggest mentors on the Chiefs and the toughest quarterback he’s faced.  

Whether you’re a Purdue or NFL fan, you don’t want to miss this incredible episode with an alum whose Boilermaker persistence has helped shape him into the two-time Super Bowl champ he is today.